As students begin heading back to school it’s time for families to start planning and begin their back-to-school shopping. While families may face many challenges when it comes to getting ready for the school year, significant inflation and higher prices add another challenge for parents and students to contend with. These back-to-school shopping tips can help you plan your spending so you can save money:

Take stock of what you already have

By knowing what you already have you can avoid making duplicate purchases and remain focused on the things you absolutely need.

Make a back-to-school budget

Taking count of how much you have to spend helps you prioritize your purchases and stay away from going into debt.

Go shopping with a plan

If you find yourself beyond your budget, list your items in order of most pressing to least so you can tackle the priorities first.

Stack sales with other discounts

Many stores run sales and special discounts simultaneously, and you could also use a credit card that offers rewards - stack discounts and rewards to ensure you’re taking advantage of all savings opportunities.

Compare competitor prices before you buy

With stiff market competition, many merchandisers will offer a lowest price-match to ensure the sale of their product.

Spread out purchases 

Don't buy everything you need at once if you can avoid it – pay attention to sales and spread out the purchases to maximize savings and feel less of an impact on your pocket at once.

Consider second hand stores

Second hand stores often have items that are gently used or still brand new with tags at a reduced price. Check here for clothing items, bags and shoes first.

Getting ready to go back to school can be stressful, but it’s way better when you have a plan and follow these tips!